SAU Holds First Inaugural Lecture

Web Master13 May 2016Campus

It was another momentous day in the history of Samuel Adegboega University, Ogwa, when Professor (Mrs) Bridget Obiaozor Inegbeboh of English and Literature, Department of Languages, Samuel Adegboyega University, delivered the first Inaugural Lecture of the University.

The event commenced with the arrival of the Vice-Chancellor’s procession at 3:45pm. The spokesperson of the event recognised the presence of the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council of the University, Elder (Dr) Bisi Ogunjobi, Principal Officers of the Universities, Royal Fathers, Family Members of the inaugural lecturer, invited guests, members of staff & students and other well-wishers.

The Ag. Registrar, Mrs P.O. Afolabi welcomed all guests and well-wishers of the university to the epoch event, after which she introduced the Vice-Chancellor.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Benard Eronmonsele Aigbokhan, while declaring the event open said that with this event, Samuel Adegboyega University, Ogwa, had demonstrated that it had truly come of age.

Professor Bridget Inegbeboh delivered her lecture titled “Okah” Folktale Tradition of the Esan People and African Oral Literature. She described the performance of every Esan folktale as a significant and interesting moment of artistic experience. She said the narration of a folktale in Esanland is a total human experience that involved dramatizing the tale, uniting its aesthetics and sociology; and it is work of art.

While delivering the lecture, which had to do with tradition of the Esan people that is rich in aesthetic and artistic qualities, she talked about the cultural heritage which mirrors and transmits the Esan culture from generation to generation.

The lecturer argued that although feminist literature speculated that all women were being oppressed by men, a close examination of women in Esan folktales revealed that some women were oppressed and remained passive; some women were oppressed and resisted; while some women were portrayed negatively as women who dominated other women and men.

In her conclusion, she said that the tales were rich form of culture from generation to generation. She revealed that there existed a category of women who were not only unoppressed but who were also very powerful and were grouped among the traditional feminists.

In her recommendations, Professor Bridget Inegbeboh said that Nigeria Oral Literature, like folktales from Esanland and other part of the nation be made compulsory part of the curriculum at various levels of education to bring out the beauty and virtue of our diversified culture. She added that the Esan people should set a day apart every year for the people of Esan to come together and celebrate what bound them.

In his closing remark, the Vice-Chancellor, emphasised that the University Management would continue to do all it could to position the university for greater heights and solicited the support of all stakeholders and friends.